Synthesis, Characterization and Adsorption Property of Expanded Graphite/Conducting Polymer Composite
In the present work, expanded graphite (EG) was prepared by microwave irradiation. Then, the expanded graphite/polyaniline (EG/PANi) composite was synthesized in the typical method. The samples of EG and EG/PANi were characterized by SEM and IR analysis techniques. Adsorption property of EG/PANi composite for removing the dye, reactive brilliant red K-2BP, from aqueous solution was investigated. The effects of initial dye concentration and contact time, pH, sorbent dosage on the adsorption process were studied. Experimental data were modelled by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Langmuir isotherm model fitted well the equilibrium data for EG/PANi composite comparing to the Freundlich isotherm model. The uptake capacity of EG/PANi for K-2BP was found to be 1.03047 mg/g. The results indicated that EG/PANi composite is not an ideal sorbent used for reactive dye removal.